As another Cheltenham Festival edges ever closer, Nicky Henderson will be keen to leave behind the nightmare of 12 months ago far in the Gloucestershire mist.
The Berkshire trainer, now 74, has almost by sheer coincidence as many festival winners as his veteran years(73) but in 2025, Henderson brings with him one of his strongest squads.
With the returning Constitution Hill and Jonbon heavy leading favourites of the pack, after an extremely challenging last edition, this year’s Cheltenham could be Henderson’s redemption.
Whilst the loss of the red-hot Sir Gino to a serious leg infection is without question a huge blow, ahead of the festival, there is ample reason for optimism.
Virus
Last February, as another festival season moved into view, Nicky Henderson’s plans to record a 74th Cheltenham winner were hit by a hammer blow, when an equine virus ploughed through his Seven Barrows base near Lambourn.
Forcing a number of his top names to be laid low – including Constitution Hill after a returning romp from absence in the Christmas Hurdle – he then had a shocking public gallop just weeks before the festival as a number of Henderson’s other big names – including Jonbon – saw their form and training hit the rocks.
It was no surprise then, that the best Henderson’s troupe could muster at last year’s Cheltenham was a handful of runner-up spots, whilst Luccia grabbed third in the Champion Hurdle behind State Man and Irish Point – with an ailing Constitution Hill watching his throne taken.
However, a year on, the picture looks very different and, as spring peeks its head into view, decidedly rosier.
Big-name Favourites
Firstly, the aforementioned Constitution Hill returns to Cheltenham after a two-year absence, looking to regain the same Champion Hurdle crown and make it three-from-three at the festival.
Now post-wind surgery, the still-unbeaten 8yo – under rules – looks to move back toward his legendary form of old and throw his hat into the ring as a true great of the sport.
Despite a scare last time on the same course over the final fence in the Unibet Hurdle, the every-popular son of Blue Bresil won a commanding Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day at Kempton for the third time.
Is he back to his very best? The signs are there.
On the opposite end of the spectrum but no less a big favourite of the week, Jonbon looks to make it third time lucky at Cheltenham, having been runner-up in both 2022 and 2023.
Second – coincidentally – to an emerging Constitution Hill on festival debut, Jonbon was then left in the dirt by El Fabiolo a year later in the Arkle.
This time around as a 9yo, he looks a far better prospect and mature. Barring plans going seriously awry, he looks hard to topple in the Champion Chase.
Strong Contenders
Aside from the big two, Henderson is not without chances elsewhere during the week.
To begin with, Willie Mullins looks the trainer to beat once more in the Arkle, and is favourite to snag a third race win on the bounce with last year’s Triumph Hurdle victor and last month’s Irish Arkle winner, Majborough.
However, Henderson is no stranger to Arkle glory on four separate occasions, most recently with Shishkin, and Jango Baie is an outside shot to pull an upset.
With Nico De Boinville on board, the 6yo won on the New course back in December and in his eight races since debuting two years ago, has finished at worst runner-up.
Meanwhile, in both the Pertemps and Triumph Hurdle, both Jeriko Du Reponet and Lulamba are carrying significant antepost traction.
In the case of the former, owner JP McManus will be keen to see his charge put in better effort after being pulled up in the Sky Bet Supreme 12 months ago. Jeriko will likely go to post at 5/1 with QuinnBet as favourite and as a horse who has won in most conditions, should go well.
Lulamba, on the other hand continues to be the recipient of nibbles from punters in the market. Race pick East India Dock has put together a run of three wins on the bounce, and his win in the Juvenile Trial Hurdle on the Old course back in November proved his credentials.
With that said, if Henderson sees his charges off to a strong start earlier in the week, the plucky but lightly-raced 4yo comes here unbeaten and put his own case forward with his own Juvenile Hurdle win at Ascot this past winter.
Promise
So what can Nicky Henderson expect from the coming week?
Win 74 should come in the shape of Constitution Hill and providing everything goes to plan in the Champion Hurdle, Nico De Boinville will have his eyes set on a strong week.
Henderson will have quietly wished last year’s festival never happened, but now with real chances to prove his stable is back to its best, come the end of the week, Cheltenham 2025 could be one his best.
